King's College London (King's) is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK. With a rich history dating back to 1829, it is located in the heart of London and comprises five campuses including its historic main campus at The Strand.
The university offers an extensive range of postgraduate programmes across a variety of disciplines, combining world-class teaching, research excellence, and a commitment to developing students' professional skills. King's College London consistently ranks among the top universities worldwide academically, boasting a diverse and truly global student community of postgraduate students representing over 190 countries worldwide.
In its long and distinguished history, King's alumni and staff include 14 Nobel laureates whose contributions have included such groundbreaking work as the discovery of DNA structure, the development of IVF treatments, and key research in the advancement of radar, radio, television and mobile phones. Alumni also include government figures, athletes, business leaders, writers and entrepreneurs. King's College London maintains close ties with a range of global industries, and its location in one of the world's leading financial and cultural centres provides unique opportunities for career advancement.
King's College London offers a comprehensive portfolio of postgraduate courses, including taught master's degrees, research degrees (MPhil/PhD), and professional qualifications. King's has a wide offering of subject areas, including the arts, social sciences, law, business, medicine, and engineering, all taught by internationally renowned faculty members with access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources. The university's emphasis on research-led teaching means that postgraduate students are often involved in active research projects and can contribute to significant advancements in their field.
With the fourth largest endowment of any university in the UK, King's is able to provide an array of specialist facilities and student spaces of a calibre rarely seen in higher education.
For example, the Maughan Library is an outstanding 19th Century Neo-gothic public records office building, which became the university's main library following a £35 million renovation. It is the largest new university library in the UK since World War II and holds more than 750,000 items including books, journals, digital resources, academic theses, and exam papers.
King's College London offers a range of postgraduate accommodation options located across central London. The residences are mainly designed to house both undergraduate and postgraduate students, and the university offers both self-catered and catered options, providing a variety of room types to suit different needs and budgets.
New and returning postgraduate students can make use of the King's Residences accommodation guarantee, which applies where King's is the firm choice (whether conditional or unconditional) for a full-time course for the 2025/26 academic year and if all required deposits for the course have been paid.
The university understands that for many, a postgraduate education is a significant financial consideration, and therefore offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries to postgraduate students to help support their education. These awards are based on different criteria, including both academic excellence and financial need, and awards are granted across many specific areas of study. Some scholarships cover full tuition fees, while others offer partial funding or support for living costs. Postgraduate students can find a range of funding opportunities from the university itself and external organisations.
The university's website provides detailed information on how to apply for these awards, along with eligibility requirements.
There are a number of different types of postgraduate programmes at King's and, as such, the entry requirements vary depending on the course and level of study. Generally, applicants will need a relevant undergraduate degree from a recognised institution, with a minimum classification of upper second-class honours (2:1) or its international equivalent. Some programmes have higher entry requirements, particularly for more competitive courses, such as those in law, business, and medicine. Many courses also require relevant professional work experience or specific skills, while others may require a portfolio, written work, or references from academic or professional sources.
King's welcomes international applicants and provides specific guidance on the entry requirements for students from different countries. Since courses at the university are mainly taught in English, it is important for applicants to demonstrate evidence of proficiency in English language before enrolment. This can be done through tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and other accepted qualifications.
Prospective postgraduate applicants are encouraged to check the entry requirements for the course they wish to pursue by visiting the King's website, as well as familiarising themselves with any key dates and deadlines.
The cost of postgraduate study at King's can vary, depending on the programme and the student's residency status. Tuition fees for international students tend to be higher than those for UK and EU students, but financial support is available through scholarships, loans, and other funding options.
The value of a King's postgraduate degree is reflected in the university's strong academic reputation and the career prospects it offers graduates.
King's College London offers a range of postgraduate courses, including taught master's degrees, research degrees, and professional qualifications.
Taught postgraduate courses typically take one year full-time or two years part-time to complete, and teaching is structured around a programme of lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, group discussions, as well as individual research projects. Students are encouraged to take part in interactive learning activities that foster collaboration and problem-solving skills, across the classroom, online, and through extracurricular activities.
Many courses also incorporate practical components, such as internships, case studies, or project work, which expose students to real-world experience. This ensures that graduates are well-prepared for stepping into professional career roles after completing their education.
For those pursuing research-based postgraduate courses, students conduct independent research under the guidance of experienced academic supervisors. These courses are tailored to students' specific research interests and are supported by the university's world-class facilities and research networks.
King's taught postgraduate courses are designed to deepen knowledge in a range of academic fields including law, business, health sciences, engineering, and the arts. These programmes often culminate in a dissertation or final project, allowing students to combine the skills and knowledge acquired during the course into a piece of work that may guide their next steps after graduating.
King's postgraduate research students are supported by the university's world-class research facilities, which enable them to conduct high-quality work that contributes to academic advancements and societal impact across many fields.
Cross-faculty collaboration is encouraged, with students supported by a network of academic supervisors and mentors, while also being supported by the university's Doctoral College.
There are a number of postgraduate courses at King's which can be completed entirely online, via distance learning, allowing students to study flexibly from anywhere in the world. Courses are offered across all faculties, and distance learning students have access to the same academic support and resources as those studying on campus, including online tutorials, virtual libraries, and peer collaboration opportunities.
These online programmes are academically equivalent to on-campus degrees and involve the same level of work overall. They are ideal for those seeking flexibility without compromising on academic excellence.
King's College London is renowned for its world-class research and academic excellence. The university is consistently ranked among the top universities globally, with many of its departments placed in the top 10 in the UK and internationally. It boasts a diverse range of disciplines, with particular strengths in humanities, law, medicine, and the sciences. King's is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities, known for its commitment to high-quality research and teaching, and has been awarded a Gold rating for student outcomes in the most recent Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023).
Collaboration is at the core of the King's College London ethos, and the university provides students with the opportunity to engage in research from an early stage, particularly at the postgraduate level. Many courses include opportunities to work closely with academic staff on ongoing research projects, fostering an environment of intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. King's has the fourth largest endowment of any university in the UK, and this goes a long way to ensuring that students have access to cutting-edge facilities, a wide range of specialised resources, and a truly dynamic learning environment.
The university's central London location means that students are never far from world-class cultural attractions, museums, and entertainment. London is a hub for career opportunities, internships, and networking events, offering students a unique advantage for both personal and professional growth in one of the world's more dynamic and multicultural capitals.
With over 400 societies to choose from, postgraduate students at King's students have a huge variety of opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people, and build lasting friendships. These societies provide a strong sense of community, where students from diverse backgrounds come together to share their passions and interests. Whether interested in sports, music, arts, or politics, there is a society for everyone to enjoy.
The King's College London Student Union (KCLSU) plays a central role in enhancing student life. It represents the voice of the student community and runs a wide variety of student-led societies, from academic and cultural groups to social and sports clubs. The student union also offers services for academic, financial, and personal matters, alongside support for those facing mental health challenges.
King's College London is committed to supporting its postgraduate students in every aspect of their academic and personal journeys, and has invested intelligently in providing a range of services to ensure students have the help and guidance needed to succeed.
The university's dedicated support services include academic tutoring and dissertation advice, one-to-one sessions with subject-specific advisors, writing assistance, and research consultations. There are resources available to help students improve their time management, critical thinking, and presentation skills, which are key aspects of postgraduate study, and also represent transferable skills that will be valuable in any professional workplace environment.
For those who need more personal support, the university provides confidential counselling services, including mental health support and workshops on stress management. There are peer mentoring programs available, where postgraduate students can connect with more experienced students for advice and guidance. There is also a dedicated department for international student support, as well as disability support, financial services, housing, entrepreneurship, and many more.
King's College London has a superb reputation for producing graduates who are highly sought after by employers. It is ranked the 11th most targeted university by leading UK employers (High Fliers, The Graduate Market Report 2025-26), with over 89% of 2022–23 graduates in highly skilled employment fifteen months after completion (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022–23).
These impressive graduate metrics, coupled with the university's central London location and network of professional partnerships, make it one of the top universities targeted by leading UK employers, providing graduates with a wealth of job opportunities across a diversity of professional fields.
King's College London career services give postgraduate students access to personalised career advice, CV workshops, mock interviews, and exclusive job listings. Postgraduate students can also benefit from access to the university's global alumni network, which is an invaluable resource for career progression. Overall, King's graduates are very well-positioned to succeed in their chosen fields.
